Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum

Tally Hall

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 1, 2008)
• Original Release Date: October 24, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B0014DC0AU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #99,057 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
since its coagulation in late 2002, tally hall has been wonkifying unsuspecting audiences from ann arbor to places other than ann arbor. they have performed at a plethora of venues, including the legendary blind pig and the nationally syndicated mitch albom show. tally hall's "good day," written by andrew, won the 2004 BMI john lennon scholarship.

Product Description
In a Detroit suburb, tucked between a pizzeria and a Walgreen s, lies an arcade jam-packed with one-of-a-kind oddities. It is from this bizarre wonderland that Tally Hall draws the inspiration for their debut album, MARVIN S MARVELOUS MECHANICAL MUSEUM. The re-mixed and re-mastered album is a collection of songs that transcends stylistic parameters and genre conventions. In the same way Marvin s motley machines form an unexpectedly cohesive collection, riffy rock like Greener sits comfortably alongside the spare electro-hip-hop of Welcome to Tally Hall. The Caribbean flavors of Banana Man complement the rootsy Americana feel of Be Born.The Bidding and The Whole World and You sound like they're playing hooky from the Great White Way.Two Wuv voices a sly and slightly creepy attraction to the Olsen twins.
All five of us have different yet overlapping tastes in music says drummer Ross Federman. Having three distinct songwriters allows us to explore a wide-variety of musical terrain. Over time, it became apparent that our sound didn t fit squarely into a single genre. We just let the music speak for itself.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why isn't more music like this?, February 24, 2006

By	B. Pope "Hobbyist" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum (Audio CD)

Brilliant. Clever. Just d*mned catchy. I bought this album on a whim, after catching the music video for Banana Man floating around the internet. Didn't think it'd be much more than a curiousity. I don't -think- I've had any other CDs in my player since I got it.

The music shifts gears from playful to dolorous, the lyrics are intricate without being overblown, and the whole album is a joy to hear. All I can say is I hope more is forthcoming. One of the few albums I own where -no- track is something I skip past when it comes up.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth every penny., February 18, 2006

By	Paul Webb - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum (Audio CD)

I should start by saying that I'm a bit biased. I've been to Marvin's and I've seen Tally Hall live. With that said...

This album is phenomenal.

The band has drawn comparisons to the Barenaked Ladies and They Might Be Giants, and they're entirely justified. Like any given BNL or TMBG album, "Marvin's" is split between two kinds of songs. Tracks like "Banana Man" and "Two Wuv" can only be described as goofy, whereas songs like "Greener" and "Be Born" are much closer to the radio-friendly rock.

The common thread that binds the album together? Every single track is good, as in "winning the John Lennon Songwriting Competition" good ("Good Day" in 2004). With the possible exception of "Taken For A Ride" (I'm not a big fan of the distorted vocals), I can say that I'm happy when any one of these songs shows up in my iPod's rotation. The lyrics are well-written, the vocals and harmonies are astoundingly good, and the songs are just fun to listen to.

Choosing a favorite song on the album is hard, but I'd have to say that "Greener," "The Bidding," and "Be Born" are all strong candidates.

Perhaps the best testament I can offer? Every person that I've had listen to my copy of the album has loved it. Tally Hall is just a darn good band, and I think that this is going to be one of my favorite albums for a long time to come.

Mark my words - one of these days, Tally Hall will make it big. They deserve to.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why is the deranged, or at least re-arranged, such demonic fun?, January 11, 2006

By	Paul F. Starrs "geography fan" (El Cerrito, CA, and Reno, NV USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum (Audio CD)

Learned about these folks from my mid-teen daughters, who are extremely serious Tally Hall fans. And after wondering what I was subjecting myself to, in a couple of long car trips, it all gelled: These are true talents, and I've come laugh with glee when they come around on an iPod or mix CD.

We're talking "talent" with vocals that are fully the equal of, let's say the Bonzo Dog Band or the best of Eddie from Ohio or maybe even Zappa in the Mothers era. And then there's the music, which is bright and ever-changing, and ever-lastingly funny (and funny does count for something, at least with me, when it comes to songs). The orchestration is sophisticated, often surprising, and ingenious. For all those feral youth who find Tally Hall because of Banana Man, they'll learn that there's so much more with Hidden in the Sand, or Spring and a Storm, or The Bidding.

The fun -- I warn you, though -- can tend toward the wicked and skewering. Sarcasm and acerbity is there -- Enjoy.